AT LAST! First Mendeola Production Transaxles Ship

[Dave Smith]

This has been a very long time coming. About one year ago, we began taking deposits on what was to be about a three month project with the guys from Mendeola Transmissions. Specifically, the project involved an affordable, high horsepower capable transmission for the GTM which would provide a better alternative Porsche transmission.

Today, I bring the long-awaited good news that the boys at Mendeola have finally come through. Customer Joe Masciarelli was here today to pick-up his transaxle. Joe was customer #001 on the order list. As of today, three units have shipped and it appears that Mendeola is building 2-3 units per week. Patti Maloney here in Materials will be coordinating deliveries.

On behalf of everyone at Factory Five Racing, I offer my sincere gratitude to all of the Factory Five customers who have waited so patiently for this project to come to production. More details as they become known.


FFR President Dave Smith with customer Joe Masciarelli, Eddie, Nate, and Jesper.


The new transmissions are shipped in a very well engineered custom crate.


Joe tells me he'll be go-karting in a few days.

[fact5racer]

Wow! First they kill Osama Bin Laden..........now this! Next week: Who really killed Jon Benet?

[crash]

Hey Chaney, you sure you don't own an SLC?

[fact5racer]

All I know is if it wasn't for the "above and Beyond" that Dave Smith did for me, I would have been screwed for SEMA.

Hey Chaney, you sure you don't own an SLC?

[Kempo]

Dave,
Great news. When will the Mendeola installation kit start shipping?

[Cory Brown]

So how many people have received their transaxles so far?

[Rick Williams]

Still haven't gotten mine. Next week it will be one year since I ordered and I was one of the first. Sigh.

[Joe Mush]

I got mine and will be posting some pictures soon.

Joe

[Radkat]

Hi Joe, that's great news!
What number were you in the first 15?

[Joe Mush]

FFR got the first one and I got the next one. Still waiting for a few parts. Will be Gocart very soon.

[dreabrown]

Joe, can you give us an update? Did you get the remaining parts? Any issues? What shifter mechanism are you using? I'm told I'm on the short list, but I'm still completely in the dark....

Anyone have updates?

Thanks

[lrt1941]

How about an update. How many have been shipped? Are the other parts needed to install it ready to be shipped? Some one needs to give us a weekly update.
Leonard

[crash]

All I can tell you is that I visited Mendeola yesterday and the production area for the FFR SDR is starting to look much smaller than it was at its height of waiting for parts. Ian told me they shipped 11 transaxles this last week, although not all of them were FFR customers or FFR SDR boxes. If you are part of the first batch and haven't seen your box yet, I can't imagine it will be much longer before it arrives.

[Dave Smith]

I was told that eight transmissions would ship by the end of this week (today). I have emailed Ian and am waiting on a report. I am not happy and the ONLY thing that will solve that will be news that we are solidly in production with quality parts, to spec, and the people who trusted us with their money have the parts in their shops.

[Kempo]

Things are moving in the right direction. I got a message today from Ian with the tracking number of my crate.

[ddorrer]

That is why we have production contracts with deliverables and specific performance clauses. If a vendor makes a promise and can not produce there are monetary penalties. Just my opinion.

[Joe Mush]

Here it is and it is awesome. I like to give Ian a big thanks.
I will post alot of pictures and a video.

[Kempo]

Here it is and it is awesome. I like to give Ian a big thanks.
I will post alot of pictures and a video.

Very nice Joe. Congratulations on that huge milestone. Thanks for sharing.

[Joe Mush]

[Kalstar]

Very big congrats. Wheels look great.

[Joe Mush]

Thanks Guys,

Here are some install pictures.

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[kabacj]

Awesome Joe! I also got word from ian that mine is in the mail. Woo hoo!

John

[Cory Brown]

Awesome Joe! I also got word from ian that mine is in the mail. Woo hoo!

John

Any idea what number in the first 15 you are?

[kabacj]

I don't know Cory.

John

[dreabrown]

Joe,

Looks incredible! Nice job. Looks like there is some new mounting hardware I've never seen. Can you give us the details on what parts are coming from FF to mount this unit and what other parts we need to source elsewhere? Can you also give the specs/source for the shifter set up?

Thanks for sharing. This has been a long time coming.
EB

[crash]

I think the biggest question that we all want to know is "how does it work"?

[Presto51]

I think the biggest question that we all want to know is "how does it work"?

Crash since you wanted to know this one's for you


1.Listen for the change in your car's engine sounds that let you know it's "working harder." Higher pitched whirring is one sign. (Notice the RPM reading at that point, and you'll begin to develop a sense of when you need to shift gears in this car. Most cars need to be shifted whenever they hit 3000-3500 RPMs)

2.Lift your right foot off the pedals altogether--do not press the accelerator or brake pedal.

3.Press the clutch pedal down quickly all the way to the floor or until you feel it dis-engage. (A very slight jarring, a change in engine sound, a change in feel. RPMs will drop to the idling rate and the engine should be much quieter.)

4.Smoothly pull the shift lever straight back from 1st to 2nd gear.

5.Release the clutch smoothly and then continue pressing lightly on the accelerator. Do not be harsh with either pedal - the ride will be jerky and you could put too much strain on the drive train.

[crash]

You very funny guy!

[Joe Mush]

Joe,

Looks incredible! Nice job. Looks like there is some new mounting hardware I've never seen. Can you give us the details on what parts are coming from FF to mount this unit and what other parts we need to source elsewhere? Can you also give the specs/source for the shifter set up?

Thanks for sharing. This has been a long time coming.
EB

EB,

I would contact FF and ask them for the shifter kit. It will come with the mount for the transaxle and the mount for the shifter. Also make sure you have the right back frame. It should have a rounded back corners not welded. Mine was wrong and I am #350. You will have to get a flex line to contact hard line to slave cylinder. I used the Exedy clutch kit came with fly wheel,pressure plate,clutch,throw out bearing and pilot bearing. The pilot bearing that came with my kit was wrong. I got the right one from Napa (6302-vsp43). I think the first thing you should do when you get your transaxle, Call Ian he will walk you through the steps.

Joe

[Joe Mush]

I think the biggest question that we all want to know is "how does it work"?

Crash,

It worked great, little stiff the first couple of laps around but by the third lap it shifted awesome. I wish I could have gone faster but it is a small neighborhood.


Joe

[crash]

Great to hear.

Some on here and the other site have called me a "fan boy" and even a "shill" for Mendeola. While I will admit to being a "fan boy" in that I believe in their product, want Mendeola to do well, and want the builders on here to be happy, let me just state that I am not paid by Mendeola to say anything about, well, anything. I had no idea what your reply was going to be, but am very happy that you appear to be pleased with the transmission you got from Mendeola.

These things are truly like a Swiss watch inside and getting them right is a challange to say the least. Now that the first run has been done, I would think that subsequent orders will be able to be filled MUCH faster. I'm sure some things will change going forward also. Some parts may change slightly and I'm almost positive the price will change a bit, but that is all based on the market and refinements that need to be done. Heck, we are running a Mendeola S5 that is a relatively older design, and yet Mendeola is STILL making small adjustments to improve things. I believe Mendeola's actions of continual improvement just shows how much everyone at Mendeola cares about EVERY gear box and EVERY customer that uses one. You simply won't see that from most transmission companies these days. OK, I'm sounding like a shill again...

[Mendeola Transaxles]

Checks in the mail "fan boy"

[Cory Brown]

Any Christmas presents being shipped out from mendeola this week? Any idea on how many boxes have been shipped? I think I'm number 13 or 14 and just wondering how close I am to having a very merry Christmas!!

[dreabrown]

I echo that question/ request for a real Christmas present! I think I'm lucky number 13 so let's here from you Mendeola about units 13/14 going to the Browns before the end of the holiday season. I want to work on this while I have some time.
Mendeola?

Eric Brown, Columbia SC

[lrt1941]

Mendeola
How about an update on when 11 thru 15 can expect to see our tranaxels. No tranaxel is bad enough but no communication is unacceptable.
Leonard

[crash]

Have you tried calling Ian?

619-710-8800 ex 110

My understanding is that Ian has been talking to all those that he can get a hold of about when to expect their transaxles to be delivered.

[Kempo]

Have you tried calling Ian?

619-710-8800 ex 110

My understanding is that Ian
has been talking to all those that he can get a hold of about when to expect their transaxles to be delivered.

I have called Ian several times in the past 3 months with questions about delivery,parts need for the install such as clutch components, oil type and amount, oil cooler set up etc. most of the time I have been able to talk to him when I call. The times I haven't I have left a message on his voice mail and have gotten a call back on the same day. Great guy to talk to never in hurry and will go over any questions you may have.

[Joe Mush]

I agree he is a very easy guy to reach.

[lrt1941]

Got word from ff-5 14-28 are not going to ship for some time. the ring and pinion gears have been rejected. middle of February before new one may be ready. Dave will substute 410s and give us 500.00 dollars if we wish. They would ship shortly if we want the 410s. I did talk to Ian yesterday and he did not mention this problem. Im glad that the call was made not to ship bad gears,but tell us up front. Dave has gone out of his way to try and help. I think I will wait for the new gears, or just give up and sell out. What are some of the other 14-28 going to do? I!m past bing mad, I feel like I!M a mushroom.

Sorry to rant
Leonard

[fastthings]

I will entertane the thought of buying out one of you.